Simply A Red Rose

Simply A Red Rose

I love photographing flowers!  And since my garden didn't do well this year I decided to  head to a few of my favorite local florist to find some roses, sunflowers, spider mums and football mums.  I didn't find all that I wanted, but I did find these beautiful red roses from our local florist Bangor Floral.  They had an amazing array of flowers, but the roses spoke to me the most.

Roses are such a gorgeous flower! The flower of love, with it's rich red color, velvety petals and elegant fragrance how could you not love this flower.

  You can find this photograph and more flower photography at Cindi Ressler Photography

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Society6 "Hot Pink Gerbera Daisy"

 

 

Hot Pink Gerbera Daisy

Now here's a real spot of color to add to your home or office!

 

Starting from top left I have
 framed photography, wall clocks, coffee mugs, tote bags, IPhone & IPod cases and skins, laptop & ipad skins, throw pillows, shower curtain, duvet cover and more that are available now. 
You can click on the individual links to get more information on each item. 

 

See you next week...Have a fantastic week!

 

Baby's Breath

Photo of the Week

 

 

Baby's Breath

 

Used 2 lil owls textures on this.  I really like the soft vintage feeling of this photo.

Gerbera Daisy

 

 

Gerbera Daisy

 

This is the photo of the week.

 

 

Spent some time photographing some Gerbera Daisies.  They are quite beautiful to photograph and last quite a long time in a vase.

 

Well many of you have probably already heard much about my gardening adventures and how I somehow don't keep up with it very well. 

Well I truly hope that's about to change.  I've spent the past few months thinking about what my passions are in life and how I've neglected some of them.  Gardening being one of them.  I look forward every year to new and exciting plants and veggies I hope to plant, but never do because of poor garden design and not enough time to do.  So with that said and now having some sort of design on paper and in my minds archives.  I've created a blog dedicated to my gardening.  Through many magazines and pinterest.  I've gotten many ideas on how to design and create what I hope will be a beautiful garden.  So stop by and check it out.

 

On this blog I will keep it strictly photography related topics.

While Waiting For Spring

Like many of you winter has gone on long enough!  I've been waiting for Spring for what seems like forever. I'm now counting down the days until I see my grass again.  I still have over 3 feet of snow in my yard and just when I think we are melting the mounds of snow we get more........YUCK!!!!  The other day driving home from work I saw a sign that spoke loud and clear "Dear Mother Nature, we really need to talk."  I thought that was very appropriate considering our current conditions.

 

So instead of waiting for the crocuses, tulips and daffodils to find their way through all the snow, I decided to pick up some flowers from the grocery store and photograph them in my studio.

Tulips

 

Tulips are beautiful springtime flowers, but there is one small problem that I have, they are known as deer.  Yes they are beautiful, but after a long winter they are very hungry.  And deer love tulips!  I Love having the deer around, but not eating my tulips.

 

Come fall when it's the perfect and best time to plant your tulip bulbs, I try planting some of my own again.  I'm going to try a little experiment though.  For the most part deer don't like daffodils, so I'm wondering if I plant tulips and daffodils together if that will be enough to protect the tulips.  I could also use chicken wire to cover the bulbs, but deer will eat the tulips leaves too.  As a last resort I could get me some coyote urine.........not sure about that though.

 

So with all that said, yes I will try growing tulips for next spring.  I'll add all the necessary deterrents to keep the deer from eating my tulips.  Except maybe the coyote urine.  And in the fall I will post all that I have done to try to protect my tulips.  Then in the spring we'll see what works and what doesn't.

 

In the mean time I will enjoy the tulips I got from the store.

Time for Change........

 For the past several years I've been trying to get my photography business going.  By doing shows, having websites and working on social media to get the word out.  But I've found that to be unsuccessful.  My shows, well some were great, but most not so much.  My websites will not until the last year or so did they really start to pick up, but they would only get sales providing I maintained social media.  I often found myself frustrated and exhausted with trying to keep up.  I was always looking for another way to make money with my photography.  I hated the constant fighting to make a living and keep my head above water.  I felt like I was degrading my photography.  I was settling and I didn't want that.  That was when it was time to fess up and say it's time for a job.  One where I could rely on a weekly paycheck.  During the course of this last year I did very little photography and spent most of my time learning the new job. 

 

Come December I had to start thinking about shows for 2014.  Did I want to do them?  Was it worth it?  I took a good hard look and though I didn't like what I saw I had to face the truth.  I love photography, but I hate having to struggle so hard.  It's not an easy business and I know it's hard, but I know I could do better.  So this year I have come to a comprise.  I will not be doing shows, but I will maintain my websites and social media and do something I haven't been able to do for quite a while and that is travel.  Fortunately I have a job working in a garden center and the people are great!  So my job is manageable and also allows me to continue with my photography

 

So now with a little more freedom I have taken on a new challenge.  I'm reinventing myself and my photography.  For the past several months I've been doing a lot of reading, learning some new techniques and getting excited about my photography again.  I so anxious to get started, Spring can't get here soon enough.  I have to say I have never been one to photograph the winter season.  As beautiful as it can be it is also very cold and quite frankly I don't care for the cold.  So I am anxiously waiting for Spring. 

 

One of my other problems is I have a hard time committing to anything.  So it is my goal to commit to this blog, social media and to my photography. 

 

I feel this is right for me......I feel it in my soul and so happy to get started. 

 

Over the next couple of weeks I will have some new and some old photographs to show and will explain further on my new techniques and goals.

 

I will be telling you about the books I've been reading and how they have inspired me.

 

I have a new website which will be my Portfolio.  It is a work in progress, stop in for a visit and let me know your thoughts.

 

Anxious to see these lovely flowers in the Spring.

Which by the way can come any time now!

 

 

Lupine

 

I processed this lupine using Topaz Adjust soft focus

        then layered 2 textures French kiss Solstic Elan 2 and 2 Little Owls Jewel chalks 13.

 

Hope to see you next week.

 

 

 

 

Flower Power Friday....featuring Love in the Mist

This week we are featuring Love-In-The-Mist.....

 

Love-In-The-Mist

Now here's a uniquely beautiful delicate little flower.  Love-In-The-Mist Nigella Damascena is an annual flower and you can either sow with seeds or get them at your nursery.  If you choose to sow with seeds (I recommend this method) just wait until the last frost when the soil is warm enough for them.  Love-In-The-Mist will get about 14"to 20" tall and they prefer full sun to part shade, they bloom during the summer.  The blooms come in shades of blue, pink and white.  After the blooms have faded there will be this beautiful seed pod with lovely burgundy vertical stripes.  The flowers and the pod heads are great in cut flower arrangements.  If left alone these flowers will re-seed, which will save you time next year.

Love-In-The-Mist

Interesting Facts
~Love-In-The-Mist is related to the Buttercup
~Has been cultivated for over 400 years
~The seeds and leaves are used in India to prevent moth damage to clothing

Quote of the week.........

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.

~Buddha
 

Have an Awesome weekend!

 

Click here to see more Flower Photography

Flower Power Friday

This week's featured flower is the Lupine........
Spring is coming and the Lupine will be blooming soon here in Maine!

(To view this image larger or to purchase click here)

 

I've recently added lupines to my back field so come Spring I will have an array of blue and pink lupines.  Once established they will spread quite nicely.  They prefer cool moist areas which makes them perfect for Mainers or any Northern area of the US.  The Lupine also enjoys full to part sun.  Come June you can see them everywhere, roadsides, hillsides and meadows.  These Lupines will also look great in any garden too.  They can get from 1-4 feet tall.  These lovely spiked flowers come in the common bluish purple color, as well as shades of pink, white, and yellow.

The Lupine has a very long tap root so it is recommended that you don't transplant as you may damage the root.  So when you plant your Lupine make sure it's where you want them to be.

As far a pest, I haven't heard of many problems if any.  I have noticed snail tracks on the foliage, but that's it.

(To view this image larger or to purchase click here)

 



 

 

(To view this image larger or to purchase click here)

You know I generally have some interesting or fun facts about the flowers I post, but I can't find anything that is interesting about this flower.  Outside of it's beauty.  The Lupine will brighten any area after a long drab winter.  So enjoy the beauty of these flowers and plant some in your garden.

Oh I will say their blooming season is quite short.  Maybe a few weeks then you have to wait until next year to see them again.       

 

(To view this image larger or to purchase click here)



Quote of the week...........

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. 

~Leo Buscaglia

 

 Have a Fantastic Weekend! 
Happy Easter!

Flower Power Friday featuring Bee Balm

Featuring the Bee Balm Monarda didyma

 

Holy Toledo and thank God it's FRIDAY!!!!

What a crazy week it has been!  One issue after another......I need a break.  Where oh where can I go!  I think I'll just get in the car with my camera my dog Riley and go for a ride.  It'll give the cats a break from Riley and me from my computer!  Break out the catnip kitties!

Anyhow this week we are featuring this quirky looking flower known as Bee Balm Monarda didyma.

 

(click on the image to view large or purchase)

 

This variety of Bee Balm grow very well for me.  The Bee Balm is a perennial and considered to be an herb.  Will grow from 2- 6 ft tall.  Mine have gotten to about 3-4 ft tall.  Grows in full sun to part shade also likes moist to wet soil.  Blooms May through October.  Though the red is the most popular color, I have also seen them in white, purple and pink.  The Bee Balm can be intrusive.  I suggest you plant it where you don't mind if it takes over. This plant is prone to powdery mildew.  I have experienced this many times and didn't really worry too much.  Didn't seem to affect my other plants.

The Bee Balm attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other insects.  Deer may resist it, but may not.  I have plenty of deer and as of yet I haven't had any problems.

Some Fun Facts:
~The Monarda was named in honor of a 16th century Spanish physician and botanist, Nicolas Bautista Monardes (1493-1588).
~Monarda is related to the Mint family
~The Monarda has a minty smell.  I have to say I have never smelt the flower, but you better believe I will be taking a sniff when they bloom this year.
~Here are some medicinal uses~which includes expelling worms, and for treating gas, fever and stomach ailments. (Lamb/Rhynard)The name Oswego Tea comes from the fact that the leaves were used for a tea by the Oswego Indians of New York. Early settlers also used the plant for this purpose when regular tea was scarce. (Niering) The name Bee balm comes from the folk use of crushed leaves to soothe bee stings.
Some pretty interesting stuff about this quirky looking flower. 

My goal this year is to create some sort of a blind so I can wait for the hummingbirds to come feed on the flowers.  There has been many times that I would be working in the garden and the hummingbirds would be humming about and stop directly in front of me as if to say "where's your camera now!"  It's actually quit comical.  I need someone to photograph me looking at these hummers dumbfounded.  They get me every time!!!



(click on the image to view large or purchase)



 

Quote of the week......

 

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. 

                                                                                      ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a super duper weekend!

Flower Power Friday Featuring....The Oriental Lily

This week we are featuring the beautiful

Stargazer Lily also known as the Oriental Lily

 

 

(click on the image to view large or purchase)

 

This week I'm doing something alittle different.  Since I wanted to introduce a new Photo Pendant "The Monarch on the Oriental Lily."  I thought this would be a great opportunity to feature the beautiful Oriental Lily.

 

Oriental Lilies are grown from bulbs which are planted in the spring or fall.  You can plant them in large containers, but from my experience it is best to plant them in the garden.  Their flowers and leaves prefer full sun with their roots being shaded.   They also enjoy well drained soil. I really enjoy growing lilies of all kinds.  I also have Asiatic Lilies which come in a large assortment of colors.  Lilies require little maintenance and  they are sooooo beautiful too!!!  Oriental lilies are very fragrant and both Oriental and Asiatic lilies look great in floral arrangements. 
I have come across one major problem with them and that is the red lily leaf beetle.  These little bright red beetles will eat up your lilies in no time flat!  You have to catch them early in the season.  I mean just when you see the lilies just poking through the soil start looking for them and SQUASH them.  That is the best way to do it.  Although there are other alternatives.  They multiply quickly too.  When the lilies start to leaf out look under the leaves for small yellowish/orange clusters of eggs and squash them too.  If you get them early you will be able to enjoy your beautiful lilies all season long.



(click on the image to view large or purchase)

 

I've create this beautiful photo pendant of the Monarch on the Oriental Lily which is a miniature version of the one below that is under a glass dome placed into a antique silver square beaded pendant.

(click on the image to view large or purchase)

  

Quote of the week

Renew your passions daily.

                                     ~Terri Guillemets

                         

(click on the image to view large or purchase)

Have a fabulous weekend!

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Flower Power Friday.......Featuring

 

This week's Flower is

The Geum "Blazing Sunset"

 

Geum "Blazing Sunset" 

(click on the image to view large or purchase)

 

The Geum "Blazing Sunset" is a perennial.  They require full sun to part shade, grow to about 24 inches tall, blooming in late Spring through Summer.  They look great in borders, containers, butterfly gardens or by themselves in clusters displaying their beautiful red/orange flower.  The leaves grow in clumps while the flowers grow on stalks above the clump.  The Geum "Blazing Sunset" is a relatively easy plant to grow and maintain.  After about 3 to 4 years the Blazing Sunset should be divided.  The flowers are great for adding into a bouquet.

These lovelies are deer and disease resistant!

 Geum "Blazing Sunset"

(click on the image to view large or purchase)

 

 

 I've also created a Photo Pendant using the Blazing Sunset.

 

To see more of my Photo Pendants visit my Etsy Shop.

 

Quote of the week........

Look at us, said the violets blooming at her feet, all last winter we slept in the seeming death but at the right time God awakened us, and here we are to comfort you. 

                                                                                                                          ~Edward Payson Rod

Have a Awesome Weekend!

Tuesday Treasury

 Beautiful Treasuries to be seen!

Wonderful shops to visit!

 

'Beautiful Botanicals' by CindiRessler

Enjoy these lovely botanical pieces of art! Give the gift of flowers that will last a life time.

Hyacinths - a fine art ... Artographi $48.00	Mixed Bouquet Botanical... LKBotanicals $115.00	Lilac Illustration - R... HighStreetVin... $15.00	20% SALE Floral Photogr... LupenGrainne $30.00
Spring photography-mead... KatyJanePhoto... $29.00	Blue Cornflower art pri... JKDAUCH $21.99	Little flowers - an ori... floribundae $30.00	Original watercolour pa... JaneBurkinsha... $68.00
Clematis Cezanne Botani... OSweetNature $85.00	Soft spring botanical b... TheInnerLight... $25.00	Viola-Art Print AasesArt $17.00	lilac spring botanical ... shannonpix $28.00
Watercolor Painting Bot... BetweenTheWee... $35.00	Blue Orchids One - Art ... Goosi $15.00	Blue Iris II - fine art... marieburke1 $22.00	Lavender Botanical Fine... HoneySparrow $30.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

'The Classic Cardinal' by CindiRessler

A wonderfully delightful bird to be seen at the feeder.

Cardinal Bird - lacy ca... TevaGallery $19.00	Needle Felted Cardinal ... ValsArtStudio $118.00	Finding Winter Cardinal remarkablebir... $15.00	Cardinal Glass Pendant ... glitteringdre... $6.95
Red cardinal bird paint... Earthspalette $95.00	ACEO Limited Edition 4/... annalee377 $4.00	Cardinal and Red Berrie... JimAndGina $22.00	Red Cardinal perched in... InTheLightPho... $8.00
Cardinal Pendant with N... TwentySix7Han... $12.00	Christmas Cardinal Mugs... MaryElizabeth... $40.00	Cardinal with Hat - 5 x... poordogfarm $10.00	What - Original Female ... mingtaphotogr... $10.00
Instant Download St Lou... sportsembroid... $2.99	Cardinal Watercolor Art... studiotuesday $20.00	Cardinals on Branch wit... Embroideredby... $16.99	Large St. Louis Cardina... SewingbyEmma $32.50

Treasury tool by StylishHome.
 

'sixteen' by wilmavasch

About the Rain - 5x7 in... VaidaPhoto $18.00	Crochet Collar- Lace B... MariaHera $20.00	2 Retro Vintage 1960&#3... GrandmasVault $15.99	Hand Painted Silk Scarf... SilkScarvesCo... $67.00
FREE SHIPPING Vintage 1... xocream $6.00	Resin cameo black and w... cameojewelrys... $1.55	Maggie, 5x7 Fine Art Ph... CindiRessler $12.50	Salamander Lizard Stamp... bsueboutiques... $11.75
Anatomical heart brooch... invisiblecrow... $8.95	Enamel CAT Brooch, Blac... ESTATENOW $7.50	Louvre Pyramid in Black... PetitePastich... $35.00	1 Yard Vintage Black La... CosmosCoolSup... $6.50
Cool black wrap bracel... elf1913 $3.99	Checkbook Cover Black /... darlingsdesig... $6.00	Gray and black triangle... OsikOsik $28.00	Scissors Sewing Colors ... scizzors $2.99

Treasury tool by StylishHome.